South Carolina Gamecocks vs. No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels
Friday, 11/25/11, 10:00 PM EST, TV: ESPN2
Opening Point Spread: North Carolina -20.5
Current Betting Line: North Carolina -21
Opening Total: 144
Current Total: 144
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
South Carolina began play in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational in Columbia with a 64-63 loss to Tennessee State last Sunday as 11.5-point favorites, but rebounded with a 61-57 win over Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday. “I think the opportunity to play North Carolina is good,” commented Gamecocks coach Darrin Horn. The program will be facing the No. 1 team for the ninth time in its history, while posting a 281-403 all-time mark against teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference. South Carolina is 12-20 ATS as an underdog the past two-plus years.
The Gamecocks are led by forward Malik Cooke offensively, averaging 11.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, as he’ll be highly-motivated for this contest due to being a Charlotte native and growing up a Tar Heels’ fan. South Carolina is 21-57 all-time against North Carolina, including a 7-20 mark in neutral site contests. Horn has led the program to a 6-13 record against ranked opponents during his time at the helm.
North Carolina comes in as the nation’s top-ranked team with a perfect 4-0 record, handing Tennessee State a 102-69 loss last time out, as the team hit 41-of-66 shots. The Tar Heels are starting off the 2011-12 campaign with four of their first six games away from home, including three being played in the Pacific Time Zone. The program is 6-0 in its two appearances in this event, capturing the championship over the Brigham Young Cougars in 2007. North Carolina is 6-10 ATS when playing on a neutral court the past two-plus seasons, with the ‘under’ being 11-7 in that situation.
The Tar Heels will likely come out with more defensive intensity in tonight’s game, allowing Tennessee State to shooting 44.7 percent in the first half last time out. “I chewed their rear ends out because I didn’t think we were very good guarding the ball,” stated Tar Heels coach Roy Williams. Offensively, sophomore guard Kendall Marshall is making plays on the perimeter, averaging 8.95 assists in his last 20 games. Forward Harrison Barnes is also getting in on the act by scoring in double figures in 18 consecutive games.
Bettors will likely back the Tar Heels due to their 12-3-1 ATS mark versus SEC opponents, while the Gamecocks are 1-6 ATS versus ACC foes.
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